Lots of Possibilities for Undefeated 'GGG'

With Gennady “GGG” Golovkin’s eighth round stoppage of Curtis “Showtime” Stevens in the Theater at Madison Square Garden Saturday night in the bank, the possibilities are seemingly endless for the undefeated Kazakh-born middleweight star. The win over Stevens was the ninth middleweight title defense of his World Boxing Association (WBA) middleweight title. The former 2004 Athens Olympic silver medalist stood up to Stevens’ bombs on the occasions “Showtime” landed, answering any questions about his chin against a top 160-pound puncher. Golovkin, 28-0 (25), simply looks better each time out and the list of opponents is endless for the likeable middleweight, who is on a 15-fight KO streak. While time is not on the side of rehabbing World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Sergio Martinez at age 38 (who is coming back after surgery), that is the fight most fans - including “GGG” - will call for. With wins over popular Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Matthew Macklin, current International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion Darren Barker, Martin Murray and a highlight reel, second round KO over former champion Paul Williams, Martinez vs. Golovkin is the fight fans want to see at 160 pounds. Let’s take a look at a few other possibilities against fighters near the top of the middleweight pile.

Floyd Mayweather Jr.: Mayweather comes up a few pounds and Golovkin drops a few in an expected meeting at catchweight. Hard to bet against “Money” no matter whom he faces. The ‘60s is obviously a bit too heavy for Floyd but there is talk about facing Bernard Hopkins, so who knows? My guess is Floyd can fight at any weight but the money would have to be huge. Favorite (speaking of which): “Money.”

Darren Barker: Upset the odds and beat Daniel Geale for title. Tough overachiever but in tough against nonstop pressure of Golovkin. Favorite: Golovkin.

Felix Sturm: Huge fight in German market. Tough, longtime former WBA champion showing some ring wear. Will see how he fares against Darren Barker in early December. Good scrap but tough night for Sturm. Favorite: Golovkin.

Marco Antonio Rubio: Gotta root for never-quit Rubio but he shows some limits against elite. All action at times but a lot of miles on Mexican scrapper. Favorite: Golovkin.

A few 168-pounders drop a few pounds and “GGG” gains a few for some catchweight action…

Arthur Abraham: Another huge German bout. Abraham game but showing effects of long career. Short and sweet while it lasts. Favorite: Golovkin.

Carl Froch: Size a problem for Golovkin here as Froch has improved over the years, is supremely conditioned and very strong at 168. All action war. Favorite: Pick ‘em.

While the talk centers on Sergio Martinez for the undefeated Golovkin, there is lots of fun stuff at and around 160 pounds. Don’t be surprised to read about “GGG” keeping his New York state of mind for his next title tussle as after Saturday night, he has Gotham fight fans primed for his next outing.